Josh Larsen Bio
Joshua Larsen (born 4 April 1994) is a Canadian rugby union player who built a reputation as a hard-working lock in Major League Rugby (MLR). He spent the prime of his playing career with the New England Free Jacks, serving as a long-time captain and a central figure in the club’s rise. Standing 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) tall and weighing 113 kg (249 lb), he brought physicality, lineout skill, and leadership to every squad he joined. In November 2025, he transitioned from player to assistant coach with the New England Free Jacks, beginning the next chapter of his rugby journey.
Early Life and Background
Joshua Larsen was born on 4 April 1994 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, to a New Zealand-born father and a Canadian mother. His dual heritage gave him an early connection to both countries and helped shape his pathway into the sport. He grew up alongside his brother, Travis Larsen, who also plays rugby, and the brothers’ shared passion for the game became a defining part of their family life.
Raised in a sporting household, Larsen developed an interest in rugby at a young age, a natural fit given his eventual size and athletic build. He eventually moved to New Zealand for higher studies, which deepened his ties to the southern hemisphere game. His upbringing in Nanaimo, combined with regular exposure to New Zealand rugby culture, laid the foundation for a career built on toughness, team-first values, and a deep appreciation for the sport’s traditions.
Path to Rugby
Larsen attended Otago University in New Zealand, where he studied for a bachelor’s degree in commerce. While at university, he played amateur rugby for Taieri RFC, gaining valuable grassroots experience and developing the lineout craft that would later define his game. His combination of size, mobility, and reading of the set piece quickly stood out at the club level.
He progressed into the Northland academy and went on to play professionally for Northland from 2016 to 2018, sharpening his skills in one of New Zealand’s traditional rugby heartlands. Larsen finished the 2018 season with Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup, giving him a strong finishing chapter to his time in the southern hemisphere. These formative years in New Zealand shaped his style and prepared him for the next step into North American professional rugby.
Josh Larsen Career
Early Career (2016-2019)
After representing Canada at the U20 level in 2014, Larsen made his senior international debut for Canada in November 2017 against Georgia. He continued to combine his studies at Otago University with provincial play for Northland, where he built a reputation as a competitive and mobile lock. He wrapped up his New Zealand chapter with a stint at Otago in 2018’s Mitre 10 Cup.
In 2019, Larsen moved to the United States to join Austin Elite in Major League Rugby, where he made 13 appearances and scored 2 tries during his single season with the club. That campaign served as his introduction to the North American professional game and showcased his readiness for a larger role. By the end of the year, he had attracted the attention of one of MLR’s emerging franchises.
New England Free Jacks Era (2020-2025)
Larsen signed with the New England Free Jacks ahead of the 2020 season and became a cornerstone of the franchise from day one. He was named team captain in his first year with the club, a sign of the leadership qualities he had developed during his time in New Zealand. During the shortened 2020 campaign, he appeared in five matches and scored two tries, setting an early tone for the team’s competitive identity.
After playing two more seasons in 2021 and 2022, Larsen was limited to just three games in 2023 due to injury. He made a full comeback the following year and reached a personal milestone on July 27, 2024, when he earned his 50th cap for the Free Jacks. His leadership and presence in the engine room were central to the franchise’s push toward championship contention.
Back-to-Back Championships (2024-2025)
Healthy again in 2024, Larsen helped lead the New England Free Jacks to the MLR Championship, anchoring a forward pack that became the team’s foundation. He followed that title with another dominant campaign in 2025, guiding the Free Jacks to back-to-back MLR Championships and cementing his legacy as one of the club’s all-time great players. His calm direction and physical play were widely credited as key factors in the franchise’s sustained success.
Driving Style and Strengths
Larsen is recognized for his lineout dominance, physicality in contact, and high work rate around the breakdown. His mobility for a 1.96 m lock, combined with a strong rugby IQ, allows him to be effective in both tight and loose play. As a long-serving captain, he has also been praised for his communication, on-field decision-making, and ability to set standards in training and matches.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most talked-about moments of Larsen’s career came during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, when he was shown a red card against South Africa for a shoulder challenge on Thomas du Toit. In a widely praised display of sportsmanship, he entered the Springboks locker room after the match to apologize in person. On the club side, he reached 50 caps for the Free Jacks on July 27, 2024, and later that year won his first MLR Championship.
Josh Larsen Career Wins
Joshua Larsen’s competitive résumé includes provincial honors in New Zealand and back-to-back MLR Championships with the New England Free Jacks in 2024 and 2025. He also earned representative honors with Northland, Otago, and Canada, adding to a career defined by consistent team success. His trophy haul reflects both his individual durability and the strong squads he helped lead throughout his professional journey.
Major League Rugby Highlights
Larsen played his first MLR season with the Austin Elite in 2019 before joining the New England Free Jacks in 2020. He became a central figure in the franchise’s early identity and captained the team from his very first season. His crowning achievements came in 2024 and 2025, when he helped the Free Jacks win consecutive MLR Championships, the most significant team honors of his professional career.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond MLR, Larsen was honored at the provincial level with selection to Northland from 2016 to 2018 and a final New Zealand stint with Otago in 2018’s Mitre 10 Cup. He also represented Canada U20 in 2014 before debuting for the senior national team in 2017. These earlier chapters provided the platform on which his later championship success was built.
Josh Larsen Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Joshua Larsen was raised in Nanaimo, British Columbia, by a New Zealand-born father and a Canadian mother, giving the family a strong bicultural rugby identity. His brother, Travis Larsen, is also a rugby player, and the two have shared a lifelong connection to the sport. The brothers’ combined journey through the game reflects a family deeply tied to rugby’s values and traditions.
Personal Life
Since relocating to the United States to play for the New England Free Jacks, Larsen has embraced American sports, becoming a fan of football. He has also described himself as a coffee connoisseur, a hobby that has become a small but well-known part of his public personality. On August 31, 2025, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Boston Red Sox game, another sign of his growing connection to his adopted New England home.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Major League Rugby campaign was the most decorated of Larsen’s career, as he helped the New England Free Jacks claim their second straight MLR Championship. Coming off a strong comeback year in 2024 and a milestone 50th cap, he entered the season as a respected leader within the squad. His form, fitness, and consistency anchored a forward pack that once again set the standard for the league.
As the season progressed, the Free Jacks combined veteran experience with growing depth, with Larsen’s captaincy and lineout control proving central to the team’s identity. By the time the playoffs arrived, the franchise had built clear momentum, and the championship run reflected the leadership of its long-time captain. The title cemented his standing as one of the most influential players in the club’s history.
On November 12, 2025, the New England Free Jacks announced that Larsen would remain with the organization in a new role, transitioning from player to assistant coach. The move marked a smooth shift into a leadership position built on years of on-field credibility. Looking ahead, his coaching role is expected to keep him closely involved with the team’s continued pursuit of titles.